Are these healthy?

[cantharis]

People grow plants in what they want and for various reasons of their own and that's their choice, but lets not propagate old gardeners myths as facts here which science and controlled experiments have proved fallacious. Unglazed clay pots do evaporate water through their walls. They don't however "breath" significantly by allowing air to pass the other way, as the experiment with a sucker disk remaining on one for a considerable period of time mentioned in one of my previous links proved. Because if the pot allowed air through the vacuum would have been broken and the sucker fallen off long before the experiment ended.

So you said earlier.

[cantharis]

maybe

[CactusFanDan]

The worst part about using unglazed ceramic pots is when you come to repot your plants in them and you have to rip off so much root tissue which is stuck right to the side of the pots as the plant has tried to root into the clay. Sure they help plants to dry out faster, but if your plants are healthy, active and thirsty, then you shouldn't need water to evaporate through the pot, since the roots will take up all the water in double-quick time. All my Ariocarpus are in plastic pots and they take up enough water in two days to completely dry out the soil mix from a saturated state.

[TexasPricklyPiglet]

First, I would like to say, that is not a beer can. That is a candy tin,

Wow a candy tin - sooo MUCH better !!!!

I never said better, I just said that it was not a beer can, which it is not. The reason why I pointed it out is because beer cans have negative connotations and your tone was just so offensive, I had to say something in this poor OP's defense. I mean, you called his containers "crappy" out of no where. He didn't say anything to you, but when a very knowledgeable member, DaveW, expresses an opinion other than your own, in a polite manner, you respond in a hostile manner and put him on your ignore list? Why is it okay for you to express your opinion in any way that you want (I.e. Directly insulting potting choices that you don't agree with), but you have to try to make me look foolish for simply commenting, and you have to lash out at someone else for wanting to offer scientific evidence on the matter? Why can't we just have a peaceful conversation about pots?!

[Steve Johnson]

I never said better, I just said that it was not a beer can, which it is not. The reason why I pointed it out is because beer cans have negative connotations and your tone was just so offensive, I had to say something in this poor OP's defense. I mean, you called his containers "crappy" out of no where. He didn't say anything to you, but when a very knowledgeable member, DaveW, expresses an opinion other than your own, in a polite manner, you respond in a hostile manner and put him on your ignore list? Why is it okay for you to express your opinion in any way that you want (I.e. Directly insulting potting choices that you don't agree with), but you have to try to make me look foolish for simply commenting, and you have to lash out at someone else for wanting to offer scientific evidence on the matter? Why can't we just have a peaceful conversation about pots?!

Agreed, and I just put cantharis on my ignore list. Joined the forum in 2009, posted nothing for years, then comes back from out of nowhere exhibiting the good manners and social grace of a sledgehammer. People who aim a cutting attitude at others deserve to be ignored.

[Driller64]

BTW the cacti have been living in Miracle Gro cactus soil their whole lives so they should hold out until I get some grit.

[Driller64]

Driller - you're not that far from me. You should be able to get NAPA oil dry easily/cheaply. There's also an active Philly cactus group on Facebook; check them out. Sue

Also where do you get NAPA oil dry?

[oldcat61]

Nearest to Cherry Hill:

NAPA AUTO PARTS

Motor Parts Of Audubon

206 Haddon Avenue
Westmont, NJ 08108
(856) 854 - 1525

Remember the # is 8822

[cantharis]

I never said better, I just said that it was not a beer can, which it is not. The reason why I pointed it out is because beer cans have negative connotations and your tone was just so offensive, I had to say something in this poor OP's defense. I mean, you called his containers "crappy" out of no where. He didn't say anything to you, but when a very knowledgeable member, DaveW, expresses an opinion other than your own, in a polite manner, you respond in a hostile manner and put him on your ignore list? Why is it okay for you to express your opinion in any way that you want (I.e. Directly insulting potting choices that you don't agree with), but you have to try to make me look foolish for simply commenting, and you have to lash out at someone else for wanting to offer scientific evidence on the matter? Why can't we just have a peaceful conversation about pots?!

Agreed, and I just put cantharis on my ignore list. Joined the forum in 2009, posted nothing for years, then comes back from out of nowhere exhibiting the good manners and social grace of a sledgehammer. People who aim a cutting attitude at others deserve to be ignored.

You want to ignore me - your right to do so!!!!

[cantharis]

First, I would like to say, that is not a beer can. That is a candy tin,

Wow a candy tin - sooo MUCH better !!!!

I never said better, I just said that it was not a beer can, which it is not. The reason why I pointed it out is because beer cans have negative connotations and your tone was just so offensive, I had to say something in this poor OP's defense. I mean, you called his containers "crappy" out of no where. color][/i]

I stand by my comment - beer cans are NAFF and crappy.


Why is it okay for you to express your opinion in any way that you want (I.e. Directly insulting potting choices that you don't agree with),

We all have our own opinions - You think I am not allowed to express mine??

but you have to try to make me look foolish

no you did that all on your own


you have to lash out at someone else for wanting to offer scientific evidence on the matter?

LASHING out?? Bit extreme maybe. Just not seen any yet.

Seems like a storm in a plant pot - I have no more comments - let´s see who else wants to keep banging on.

[cantharis]

Agreed, and I just put cantharis on my ignore list. Joined the forum in 2009, posted nothing for years, then comes back from out of nowhere exhibiting the good manners and social grace of a sledgehammer. People who aim a cutting attitude at others deserve to be ignored.

Et tu, Brute !!

And not sure how the date I joined this forum is any way relevant!!! Please explain why you think it is so. But you probably won´t. [/quote]

[cantharis]

...

[cantharis]

BTW the cacti have been living in Miracle Gro cactus soil their whole lives so they should hold out until I get some grit.

A Miracle they are still alive !!!!

[Driller64]

Nearest to Cherry Hill:

NAPA AUTO PARTS

Motor Parts Of Audubon

206 Haddon Avenue
Westmont, NJ 08108
(856) 854 - 1525

Remember the # is 8822

I will go there, but I read that you can buy this at Walmart. Is that true?

[Driller64]

I got some oil dry at Pep Boys (it wasn't NAPA brand, but it said on the bag it could be used as potting soil additive). I mixed it with the Miracle Gro cactus soil to create a 50/50 mix. I just repotted the A. retusus seedlings in it a few minutes ago. Here is what they look like now. Also to please cantharis I got rid of the "beer can" pot and put it in a regular solo cup with a hole drilled in it for drainage.

I'm much more pleased now with their appearance personally. It looks much more natural and like their natural habitat